Los Angeles — The G. and R. Loeb Foundation and UCLA Anderson School of Management announce changes to the final judging panel of the Gerald Loeb Awards for Distinguished Business and Financial Journalism. Named as new final judges were: Lionel Barber, U.S. managing editor of Financial Times; Rik Kirkland, managing editor of Fortune; and Pamela Thomas-Graham, president and chief executive officer of CNBC.

The Loeb Awards, considered the most prestigious honor in business journalism, recognize journalists who have contributed to the public's understanding of business, finance and the economy. The three new final judges were introduced at the fall meeting of the 14-member panel of final judges, which was held in New York City last month. That meeting signaled the launch of the 2004 Loeb Awards competition season.

Loeb Awards final judges serve as advisors to the program and are responsible for selecting winners from among finalists in the 10 competition categories, as well as the recipients of the career honors: Lifetime Achievement Award and Lawrence Minard Editor Award.

"We're pleased to have these leaders in business and financial news join our esteemed Loeb Awards final judging panel," said Bruce G. Willison, dean of UCLA Anderson School and a Loeb Awards final judge. "We're confident their professional perspective and expertise will contribute greatly to our efforts to continually enhance and ensure the relevance of the Loeb Awards program," added Willison, who also serves as chairman of the G. and R. Loeb Foundation.

Dean Willison also announced the retirement of three longtime Loeb Awards final judges at last month's meeting. He acknowledged the following individuals for their many contributions during their years of service to the Loeb Awards: Rance Crain, president and editorial director of Crain Communications, Inc.; Mary Anne Dolan, former editor of Los Angeles Herald Examiner; and John Huey, editorial director of Time, Inc.

Profiles of New Judges

Lionel Barber leads the editorial development of the U.S. edition of Financial Times and U. S. news on FT.com. He joined Financial Times in 1985, and prior to his current position as U.S. managing editor, he served as continental European edition editor, London news editor, Brussels bureau chief and chief European correspondent, and Washington correspondent and U.S. editor. In 2001, the White House invited Barber to brief President Bush ahead of his inaugural trip to Europe. He is a frequent commentator on the BBC, CNN, National Public Radio, PBS and other network broadcast programs. Barber is the recipient of several prestigious awards, including the Laurence Stern Fellowship at The Washington Post and a Woodrow Wilson Foundation fellowship.

Rik Kirkland oversees and directs all editorial operations at Fortune. In his years as managing editor, Fortune has twice been nominated as a National Magazine Award finalist for general excellence. From 1996 to February 2001, he was deputy managing editor and a key partner of former Managing Editor John Huey in expanding Fortune's audience, broadening coverage and bringing new vigor and range to the writing staff. In the late 1980s, Kirkland served as European editor in London and directed the revival and expansion of Fortune's international editions. He joined the magazine as a reporter in 1978. A member of the Council on Foreign Relations, Kirkland developed and produced two primetime PBS/Fortune specials on the economy in the early 1990s.

Pamela Thomas-Graham is responsible for all CNBC domestic operations, including programming, business development and the brand synergy across CNBC's television and Internet platforms. Under her guidance as president and CEO, CNBC provides business news and financial market coverage to more than 201 million homes worldwide. Earlier in her CNBC career, Thomas-Graham served as president and CEO of CNBC.com. Prior to joining NBC in 1999, she was a partner at McKinsey & Company and one of the leaders of its media and entertainment practice. In addition to her corporate work, Thomas-Graham is the best-selling author of the critically acclaimed "Ivy League Mystery Series," published by Simon & Schuster. Her third novel, Orange Crushed, will be released in spring 2004.

About the Loeb Awards

The Gerald Loeb Awards for Distinguished Business and Financial Journalism were established in 1957 by financier Gerald Loeb, a founding partner of E.F. Hutton, to encourage quality reporting in the areas of business, finance and the economy in order to inform and protect private investors and the general public. Winners are selected each year in a variety of print and broadcast categories, and career accomplishments are recognized with the Lawrence Minard Editor Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award. Judges are drawn from leading print and broadcast media nationwide. UCLA Anderson has sponsored the Loeb Awards since 1973.